We’re not overly fond of buzzwords at The Old Hall but one that has kept recurring over the last 5 to 10 years is: staycation.

It’s a combination of stay and vacation, like dare we mention it, Britain and Exit, Brexit.

No more mentions, we promise of the B word.

Staycation though is something we’re fond of at our lovely base in Norfolk. We’re only about 90 minutes from Cambridge and though the A12 and then A47 may seem remote and restrictive, if you pick journey times right, you can access our superb hotel, restaurant and facilities fairly briskly, by train or car. The Acle Straight can cause problems but there is always the option of heading east through the villages of Fleggburgh and Filby to avoid that carriageway if there are issues.

Norwich is close to hand too. It is a superb mediaeval city and you can easily occupy several days wandering there. It has two cathedrals, excellent shopping facilities and a history that is evident at every turn. Our visitors often express surprise that Norwich is hilly – it sits on a plateau but its easterly and westerly approaches give the game away – Constitution Hill and Grapes Hill. There’s no ascents like Lincoln’s Steep Hill in the centre though and with it much of it pedestrianised it is a wonderful place to spend time.

We also have dunes and seals at Horsey and Winterton nearby. Caister beach is delightful too and you have the golden mile attractions of Great Yarmouth very close by, with 2019 seeing a new leisure complex developed and the historic Venetian waterways reopening.

The Norfolk Broads surround us too.

The benefits of staying with us are manifold.

No airport parking charges or queues, no searching out leisure facilities or fine food, no currency barriers.

We do generally have dry and hot summers and, believe it or not, autumn can be balmy – in 2013, late October saw temperatures rise to 30 degrees. We kid you not.